Somethings are Meant to be Saved

23

I hate funerals, funerals overwhelm me so much.
Everyone's feelings and energies transfer to me and I'm left completely exhausted. I try my best to avoid funerals but today I'm dealing with it so I can be there for Mark.

We're sitting in the car and Mark is spaced out
staring straight ahead. My family is already inside and I'm just waiting for Mark to make the first move.

"Hey, you ok?" I place my hand on his knee and
look at him.

He blinks and turns his head to look at me. To
think that just a couple months ago I just called him my best friend.

"Yea, yes I'll be ok." He kisses my cheek then
my lips, leaving me with a soft blush. He unbuckles himself and gets out of the car.

I take a deep breath. You can do this. Just be
there for Mark. I unbuckle myself and step out of the car. I walk around the car to where Mark is standing. "Ready?"

He blinks and looks at me. "Huh?"

I muster up a smile and lean against the car.
"Are you ready?" I'm sure he's not but I've been so worried that the questions Are you ok? And do you need anything? Just fall out every minute. I'm sure it's annoying but I just need him to be ok. Not even great, just ok.

"Yea, I'm ready." He walks over to me and takes
my hand. Lacing our fingers together we start walking into the church.

We walk inside and a suffocating feeling crawls
around my chest and throat. I look around to try and find the reason and I don't see it.

"Hey Mazie, hi Mark." Mrs Hadley, my dance
teacher, comes up to us with soft smiles.

She heard about what happened after I finally
told Lorelei and Lorelei told her. Considering I'll be taking a break from dance lessons until further notice.

"Hi Mrs Hadley." Mark says and smiles.
"Hi honey, how are—"

"I'm fine, uhm if you'll excuse me I'll be right
back." Mark kisses my head then walks away.

"I am so sorry, he's going through a lot right
now.." I look at Hadley.

She puts her hand up and shakes her head.
"Maze, it's alright. I totally get it." She smiles softly. "How're you?"

I take a deep breath and tuck my hair behind my
ear. "I'm...hanging in there."

"Worried for your boy?"

I chew on my bottom lip and nod. "I just..I need
him to be ok."

"Of course. He's your person, your best friend.
Seeing him struggle makes you struggle." She nods a little. "When people we love hurt, we also hurt."

I nod. "Exactly, you get it."

She smiles bigger. "You call me if you need
anything ok?"

"Yes ma'am."

She comes in for a hug and squeezes me a little.
"Be patient but be there."

"I know. I'm trying my best." I pull away a
little.

"You always do." She pulls away and pats my
shoulders. "Lorelei is here somewhere. But I believe they're doing speeches soon."

"I'll look for her in just a bit, I'm gonna go—" I
throw my thumb back over my shoulder.

"Yes yes, go to Mark. I'll see you later." She
smiles and waves.

"See ya later." I turn on my heels and walk away
back to my boy.

I walk over to the familiar blonde head hair. I
come up behind him and wrap my arms around his neck. "Hi."  I look beside him and see my uncle Jupiter.

Mark turns his head towards me. "Hi beautiful."
He kisses my head then turns around towards me.

"I know I keep asking you but are you ready?
They're about to do speeches." I cock my head to the side.

He hesitates a little. "Uh yea, yea, I'm ready."